How you would remedy hospital mired in crisis

Patients and relatives met to suggest ways to improve a Tameside Hospital. People served by the hospital gathered at Ashton town hall to voice concerns and put forward ideas. They called for more matrons and improved hygiene at the hospital and better communication with patients and families.

Patients and relatives met to suggest ways to improve a Tameside Hospital. People served by the hospital gathered at Ashton town hall to voice concerns and put forward ideas.

They called for more matrons and improved hygiene at the hospital and better communication with patients and families.

The Local Involvement Network (LINk) meeting follows criticism of the hospital’s management over the past five years.

Many of those at the meeting complained about the way they were treated at the hospital or experiences they had visiting friends or relatives.

Among them were John and Colette Jubbs, who said they were frustrated with the lack of communication when they visited Colette’s brother. They said they were once left waiting for six hours to speak to a doctor only to be told he had finished his shift.

George Neild said he did not get the aftercare he was promised when he was discharged after knee surgery. Colin Wood, from Hollingworth, had nothing but praise for his cancer treatment, but said nurses on his ward seemed overstretched.

Some people left the meeting room in tears after sharing their stories.

Liz Degnen is campaigning to get rid of the hospital chief executive Christine Green. She said: "If the board does what it said it’s going to do and deliver on our ideas then this is great, but I’m not really optimistic about that."

Last November independent health care guide Dr Foster rated the hospital one of the worst in the country.

Then in March the Care Quality Commission had such serious concerns about nursing levels that it gave the management just one month to hire 30 more staff.

Earlier this year, MPs backed a call demanding a full, open investigation into the hospital to restore public confidence.

Although no one from the hospital was invited to attend the meeting, health chiefs will consider suggestions made.

A spokesman for the hospital trust said: "We are pleased that the LINk event ensured local residents had the opportunity to be involved in improving their local health services. It is absolutely vital the residents of Tameside – people who use this hospital – have their say on what they think could and should be changed.

"We were not asked to attend the LINk meeting. As such, it would be inappropriate for us to comment on any of the individual cases raised until we have received LINk’s detailed report.

"We look forward to receiving their feedback and positive suggestions about how we can further improve standards of care at Tameside Hospital."